Musical theatre etc
On Wednesday, I saw They're Playing Our Song at Reprise at UCLA. The book is by Neil Simon. Music and lyrics by Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sanger. The show is loosely based on the relationship between Hamlisch and Sanger in the 1970s. Jason Alexander and Stephanie J. Block starred. Alexander is the Artistic Director of Reprise Theatre Company. He took over about two years ago. There's an article about it all in LA Stage Blog, which is through the LA Stage Alliance.
Anyways, I had a great time. For once, I made interesting conversation with the people sitting next to me. I tend to see shows by myself. This was nice. The show is basically two people, with an ensemble coming in occasionally, to great hilarity. I mostly came to see Block. I am a big fan! She was in Boy From Oz (with Hugh Jackman!!!), Wicked, and 9 to 5 The Musical. I saw her in Wicked at the Pantages. Block was wonderful! Alexander was good too. He's lost a lot of weight recently. I bought him as a romantic lead. Both Block and Alexander are good at what they do.
What I didn't like about the show was the dialogue. It's Neil Simon, so of course it's funny. There were just a few lines here and there that were strange. Like using the phrase "____ hell out of me" in two scenes back to back. I couldn't tell if the strangeness were line flubs or actual Simon text.
On Thursday, I saw The Color Purple, the touring production. I saw it at the theatre my work performs it. I'd never seen a touring show there before. The company that brings them in has a mixed reputation. This production was outstanding. Only thing lacking was diction. It was a problem for the older audience members; I did pretty well. The whole reason I went to this show was because a good friend from work (not an employee, but a friend of the company) offered me her ticket. My "date" was her husband, who is an older gentleman. :)
I've been a big fan of The Color Purple cast recording for a while. I haven't read the book, nor seen the movie. Based on other people's reactions, the musical is more uplifting than both. Putting aside the diction, the actors were all incredibly talented. I was surprised at the choreography, and the skill of the dancers. Some of the men were really flexible and could jump really high!! The audience loved the show.
On Sunday (tomorrow), I see Leap of Faith at the Ahmanson in Downtown LA. It's a new musical starring Brooke Shields and Raul Esparza, with music by Alan Menken.
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In garden news, the hot weather we've been having has been great for my tomatoes. I haven't seen any babies growing in many weeks. Now, I have two, plus lots of flowers. My baby bell peppers are finally ripe. The red ones are more like orange, but they are still tasty. I have radishes growing inside that are doing well. Radishes I guess are a cool weather crop, which explains why they aren't doing as well outside. I've let some of my lettuce flower. I think I need to redo one of my window boxes, take the soil out and put new soil in. The seeds I've planted aren't doing as well. Course, it's a new batch of seeds I got from Lowe's. Maybe that is the problem.
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I have a Yosemite trip report from last week almost done. Hoping to post it later today or tomorrow.
Anyways, I had a great time. For once, I made interesting conversation with the people sitting next to me. I tend to see shows by myself. This was nice. The show is basically two people, with an ensemble coming in occasionally, to great hilarity. I mostly came to see Block. I am a big fan! She was in Boy From Oz (with Hugh Jackman!!!), Wicked, and 9 to 5 The Musical. I saw her in Wicked at the Pantages. Block was wonderful! Alexander was good too. He's lost a lot of weight recently. I bought him as a romantic lead. Both Block and Alexander are good at what they do.
What I didn't like about the show was the dialogue. It's Neil Simon, so of course it's funny. There were just a few lines here and there that were strange. Like using the phrase "____ hell out of me" in two scenes back to back. I couldn't tell if the strangeness were line flubs or actual Simon text.
On Thursday, I saw The Color Purple, the touring production. I saw it at the theatre my work performs it. I'd never seen a touring show there before. The company that brings them in has a mixed reputation. This production was outstanding. Only thing lacking was diction. It was a problem for the older audience members; I did pretty well. The whole reason I went to this show was because a good friend from work (not an employee, but a friend of the company) offered me her ticket. My "date" was her husband, who is an older gentleman. :)
I've been a big fan of The Color Purple cast recording for a while. I haven't read the book, nor seen the movie. Based on other people's reactions, the musical is more uplifting than both. Putting aside the diction, the actors were all incredibly talented. I was surprised at the choreography, and the skill of the dancers. Some of the men were really flexible and could jump really high!! The audience loved the show.
On Sunday (tomorrow), I see Leap of Faith at the Ahmanson in Downtown LA. It's a new musical starring Brooke Shields and Raul Esparza, with music by Alan Menken.
--
In garden news, the hot weather we've been having has been great for my tomatoes. I haven't seen any babies growing in many weeks. Now, I have two, plus lots of flowers. My baby bell peppers are finally ripe. The red ones are more like orange, but they are still tasty. I have radishes growing inside that are doing well. Radishes I guess are a cool weather crop, which explains why they aren't doing as well outside. I've let some of my lettuce flower. I think I need to redo one of my window boxes, take the soil out and put new soil in. The seeds I've planted aren't doing as well. Course, it's a new batch of seeds I got from Lowe's. Maybe that is the problem.
--
I have a Yosemite trip report from last week almost done. Hoping to post it later today or tomorrow.